Energy Minister Angus Taylor has announced the Morrison Government, with the Berejiklian Government have established a Commonwealth-led taskforce to consider options to deal with AGL’s announced closure of the Liddell Power Station in NSW in 2023.
Last week, AGL informed the Australian Energy Market Operator that as planned, the first unit at Liddell would close in April 2022, but the remaining three units will be operational until April 2023.
The Liddell Taskforce will look at all potential impacts of Liddell’s closure, options for extensions or like-for-like replacement, to ensure affordable and reliable energy for NSW families and businesses.
In a statement, Mr Taylor said the extension of the three units will ease tightness in supply over the next three summers, however the Morrison Government remains focused on the real challenge of ensuring enough reliable affordable generation to meet demand post 2023.
“The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments are acting to ensure there is no repeat of the impact on the National Electricity Market following the premature closure of the Hazelwood Power Station in Victoria,” the statement reads.
“The closure of Hazelwood saw a significant increase in power prices and has greatly impacted the Victorian energy grid and the National Electricity Market more broadly.”
Following the formal establishment of the taskforce within the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy one of the first steps was to invite the Berejiklian Government (NSW) to participate.
The Liddell Taskforce will engage with a range of industry stakeholders and work with all levels of government, with a report and recommendations to be delivered by late 2019.
